A chance to save Syria that world leaders must seize this week

A chance to save Syria that world leaders must seize this weekThe Guardian, 29 Mar 2015

From hundreds of miles in space, stunning images of the dramatic loss of light in Syria have captured the human tragedy caused by four years of brutal conflict (Satellites capture how the lights have gone out in Syria, theguardian.com, 12 March). The UN security council has resolutely failed to assist and protect civilians, but governments now have the chance to reverse this descent into darkness.
On Tuesday world leaders will meet in Kuwait, where the UN will request their support to fund the £5.6bn required to keep millions of people alive. This amount, to be shared among all nations, is barely more than Sky Sports spends on the rights to broadcast Premiership matches.
Providing humanitarian assistance to Syria’s beleaguered people is no panacea – that requires a political solution – but it is a vital lifeline for millions of people left in the dark. In Kuwait, the British government must continue to pay, and urge others to commit to pay, their fair share in order turn the lights back on in Syria.